Responsible Gaming Policy

RESPONSIBLE GAMING POLICY

RESPONSIBLE GAMING POLICY
Policy Reference No. / POL/196
File No. / HCC05/437-06
Strategic Objective / 3.1 Foster socially connected and supported communities
Adopted by Council / March 2001
Re-Adopted / 9 December 2013
Date for Review / 9 December 2018
Responsible Officer / Manager Community & Activity Centre Planning
Department / Community & Activity Centre Planning

1POLICY STATEMENT

1.1Council will work in partnership with community, service providers and venue operators to promote responsible gaming and minimise harm, as well as inform and empower the community about alternative social and recreational activities for its residents.

1.2Council will undertake a Social and Economic Impact Assessment in relation to each application made to the VCGLR and in response to planning permit applications for a gaming venue. Council will assess each application on a case by case basis in accordance with this policy and the Local Planning Policy.

1.3In addition to the decision guidelines contained in the Local Planning Policy, before deciding on an application, Council will also consider the views of the Hume community surrounding the venue.

1.4Council will not support any application for an increase in the net number of EGMs in Hume if Council’s assessment of the social and economic impacts of the application indicates there would be a net detrimental impact on the local, surrounding or Hume community.

1.5Council will not support referrals from the VCGLR which propose new gaming venues on Council or Crown owned land, or any increase in EGMs at venues currently located on Council or Crown owned land. For a list of EGM venues located on Council or Crown land see Appendix 1.

1.6Council in its capacity as landlord/licensor, will not consent to an increase in EGMs at venues currently located on Council land. Council will also include a prohibition on operating EGMs in all future leases/licence of Council land, where a gaming venue does not currently exist.

1.7Council, in partnership with the Victorian Local Governance Association (Local Government Working Group on Gaming) and Gamblers Help Northern, will provide information, advice or comment to State or Federal Government inquiries on gaming, changes in legislation and regulations, as well as other initiatives.

1.8Council will continue to monitor Community Benefit Statements and lobby state government to ensure these dollars are being spent in the delivery of new community infrastructure or the provision of support services (e.g. financial counselling) so the dollars are returned to the community from which it was lost.

1.9Council will advocate to State and Federal governments to improve consumer safety outcomes for EGMs including measures that address and prevent problem gaming and encourage responsible gaming, in particular, pre-commitment capacity.

2PURPOSE

2.1To assist Council in preventing and managing harms associated with problem gaming activity in Hume City.

2.2To effectively respond to applications for the relocation or increase in the number of EGMs and/or licensed gaming venues in Hume City and in neighbouring municipalities when requested.

2.3To encourage responsible gaming practices by venue operators in the municipality, targeting the minimisation of harm for problem gamblers and their families and encouraging a positive economic benefit to the municipality.

2.4To encourage community awareness of the potential impacts of gaming and to promote alternative safe and healthy forms of recreation and leisure activities.

3SCOPE

3.1This policy applies to all gaming applications submitted to the VCGLR, as well as planning applications proposing new venues with EGMs; an increase in the number of EGMs at existing premises; or transfers from one venue to another that directly impact on the Hume municipality or its neighbouring municipalities.

3.2This Policy fits within the strategic planning structure of Hume City Council and addresses the Hume City Plan 2030 (2009) and the Hume City Council Plan 2013 – 2017.

3.3This Policy supports the Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2013-2017 which identifies problem Gaming alongside social isolation as key health and wellbeing issues.

3.4The Policy demonstrates commitment to Council’s Social Justice Charter 2007 which promotes social justice, inclusion and community wellbeing, as well as identifying problem gaming as an important social issue. It will also be useful in informing Council’s role as an advocate for the community around gaming related issues.

3.5The Hume Planning Scheme includes a section on gaming known as the Local Planning Policy which reflects Council’s planning and land-use role in the provision of gaming venues. The Local Planning Policy links and works in parallel with this Policy to provide a sound framework on which Council can rely to inform their decision making on gaming applications.

3.6Hume City is partly covered by a regional cap of 435 gaming machines for the postcodes of 3043, 3047, 3048, 3060 and 3061. This encompasses the suburbs of Broadmeadows, Campbellfield, Coolaroo, Dallas, Fawkner, Gladstone Park, Jacana, Meadow Heights and Tullamarine. It was imposed by the VCGLR due to high relative disadvantage, significant EGM density and higher than average EGM expenditure. There can be no increase of EGMs beyond the cap, although these machines can be relocated within the capped region. Outside of the capped region, Hume City has a municipal limit of 725 gaming machines. There are 410 existing EGMs in the uncapped region, with the potential for another 315 EGMs.

3.7There are also several areas in Hume City where EGM venues are expressly prohibited (for example the Broadmeadows Shopping Complex and the Craigieburn East Shopping Centre). These areas are prohibited due to their convenience to shops, community facilities and services or key transport nodes where large numbers of pedestrians are likely to pass in the course of their daily activities. See the document ‘Hume City Council Prohibited Gaming Areas’ for maps of these sites.

4OBJECTIVE

4.1Acknowledge that gaming is a legal activity which has been found to be problematic for the ordinary consumer and can have highly detrimental consequences for those affected by problem Gaming and for the wider community.

4.2Provide Council with a framework to respond to gaming applications in a consistent and consultative manner, through Social and Economic Impact Assessments.

4.3Articulate Council’s harm minimisation approach that aims to reduce the negative impacts and maximise the positive impacts of gaming venues for local communities and the City as a whole.

4.4Achieve a transparent and equitable process of revenue received through gaming to be distributed back to the Hume community.

5POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

5.1Council has contributed to the development of a Social and Economic Impact Assessment Framework for responding to EGM applications. This procedure that Council will follow forms Appendix 5 and incorporates information required by the VCGLR.

5.2The Social & Economic Impact Assessment Framework includes information on defining the catchment area, locational factors (e.g. socio-economic disadvantage, EGM density, EGM expenditure and geographical accessibility of EGMs), priority populations (e.g. those who are socially isolated, people with comorbidities, lack of financial resilience), as well as positive and negative impacts of introducing EGMs.

5.3Council will require all applicants who submit a gaming application to the VCGLR concerning Hume City and which propose an increase of EGMs at a venue (including all transfers), to seek the views of the surrounding community through an attitudinal survey.

5.4This must be administered by an independent social market research firm and a copy of the raw data and survey instrument submitted to Council.

5.5The survey must list each aspect of the proposal and ask the respondents attitude to each. It must also seek the impact on the wellbeing of the community as a consequence of the application.

5.6The final survey must also be approved by Council’s Research Department prior to implementation. A sample survey is included as Appendix 6.

5.7Council will continue to represent Hume City at working groups and forums including the Victorian Local Governance Association’s Local Government Working Group on Gaming (LGWGOG).

5.8Council will negotiate with EGM applicants as well as lobby State government through LGWGOG to ensure all gaming venues in Hume City provide direct community benefits to local communities within their catchment areas (5km radius of where the venue is located) and within Hume by supporting activities that address problem gaming and build community cohesion.

5.9Council will advocate for increased transparency in data collected by the VCGLR and gaming venues and supports the release of such data regularly.

5.10Council will advocate for added support for programs and services addressing problem gambling throughout the municipality.

5.11Council will support education initiatives that inform the community about the potential risks associated with gaming and promote available community support services.

5.12Council will develop and maintain a website that provides information and links to service providers that assist problem gamblers, with information on alternatives to gaming and space for community comment on gaming applications.

5.13Council will continue to keep a working brief on online gaming to understand the impacts and then to devise strategies that minimise the negative impacts.

6DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

EGMs / Electronic Gaming Machines; sometimes referred to as gaming machines, poker machines or pokies.
Gambling / ‘An entertainment based on staking money on uncertain events driven by chance, with the potential to win more than staked, but with the ultimate certainty that gamblers as a group will lose over time. The fact gamblers must lose and that Gaming is intended to be a recreational activity, distinguishes Gaming from investment activities, where chance also plays a prominent role.’ (Australian Productivity Commission, 2010)
Gaming / Gaming activity on EGMs. EGM Gaming is considered a more risky and problematic form of Gaming than keno, bingo, lotteries and casino tables.
Problem Gambling / Behaviour people can experience as a result of EGM use, including difficulties in limiting money and/or time spent Gaming, which leads to adverse consequences for the gambler, others and for the community.
Responsible Gaming / The provision of Gaming services in a way which seeks to minimise harm to gamblers and the community.
Venue Operator / An entity that holds a club or hotel venue operator’s license enabling them to acquire gaming machine entitlements that authorise the conduct of gaming in an approved venue.
VCGLR / Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation; the Gaming and liquor regulator in Victoria (formerly the VCGR).

7RELATED DOCUMENTS

Hume City Council – Council Plan 2009-2013

Hume City Council – Gambling Survey Report 2013

Hume City Council – Hume City Council Prohibited Gaming Areas November 2007

Hume City Council – Local Planning Policy on Gaming 2009

Hume City Council – Social Justice Charter 2007

Hume City Council – Strategic Reference Document for Gaming in Hume City 2007

State Government – Gambling Regulation Act 2003

State Government – The Gambling Regulation Amendment (Licensing) Bill 2009

Victorian Local Governance Association – Social & Economic Impact Assessment Framework

Date Adopted / March 2001
Date Re-Adopted / 9 December 2013
Review Date / 9 December 2018
Policy Reference No: / POL/196 / Responsible Officer: / Manager Community & Activity Centre Planning
Date of Re/Adoption: / 9 December 2013 / Department: / Community & Activity Centre Planning
Review Date: / 9 December 2018
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RESPONSIBLE GAMING POLICY

Appendix 1: EGM Venues on Council or Crown Owned Land

Venue / Address / EGMs / Nature of Land Use
1 / Broadmeadows Sporting Club / 111 Sunset Boulevard, Jacana / 55 /

Council owned.

2 / Craigieburn Sporting Club / Willmott Park, Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn / 70 /

Council owned.

3 / Sunbury Bowling Club / 49 Riddell Road, Sunbury / 78 /

Part Council & Crown owned.

4 / Sunbury Football Social Club / Clarke Oval, Riddell Road, Sunbury / 38 /

Part Council & Crown owned.

5 / Sunbury United Sporting Club / Langama Park, Mitchells Lane, Sunbury / 50 /

Council owned.

291

Source: HCC Rates Database and Victorian Commission for Gaming& Liquor Regulation website.

There are 291 EGMs on Council or Crown owned land. This accounts for 35.7% of all EGMs in Hume City.

Appendix 2: Details of EGM Venues in Hume City

Venue / Address / EGMs / Venue Type / Capped Region
1 / Broadmeadows Sporting Club / 111 Sunset Boulevard, Jacana / 55 / Club / Yes
2 / Coolaroo Taverner / Cnr Barry Road Maffra Street, Coolaroo / 48 / Hotel / Yes
3 / Craigieburn Sporting Club / Willmott Park, Craigieburn Road, Craigieburn / 70 / Club / No
4 / Gladstone Park Hotel / 186-202 Mickleham Road, Tullamarine / 86 / Hotel / Yes
5 / Highlands Hotel / Cnr Grand Aitken Boulevards, Craigieburn / 60 / Hotel / No
6 / Meadow Inn Hotel / 1435 Sydney Road, Fawkner / 70 / Hotel / Yes
7 / Olive Tree Hotel / 111 Evans Street, Sunbury / 43 / Hotel / No
8 / Roxburgh Park Hotel / 225 Somerton Road, Coolaroo / 71 / Hotel / Yes
9 / Royal Hotel (Sunbury) / 63 Evans Street, Sunbury / 31 / Hotel / No
10 / Sunbury Bowling Club / 49 Riddell Road, Sunbury / 78 / Club / No
11 / Sunbury Football Social Club / Clarke Oval, Riddell Road, Sunbury / 38 / Club / No
12 / Sunbury United Sporting Club / Langama Park, Mitchells Lane, Sunbury / 50 / Club / No
13 / Sylvania Hotel / 1631 Sydney Road, Campbellfield / 75 / Hotel / Yes
14 / Westmeadows Tavern / 10 Ardlie Street, Westmeadows / 40 / Hotel / No
815

Source: Victorian Commission for Gaming& Liquor Regulation website, City of Hume: Current Venues, [ accessed in November 2013.

Appendix 3: Map of Gaming Venues in Hume City

Source: Victorian Commission for Gaming& Liquor Regulation website, City of Hume: Current Venues, [ accessed in November 2013.

Legend
1 / Broadmeadows Sporting Club / Broadmeadows
2 / Coolaroo Taverner / Broadmeadows
3 / Craigieburn Sporting Club / Craigieburn
4 / Gladstone Park Hotel / Broadmeadows
5 / Highlands Hotel / Craigieburn
6 / Meadow Inn Hotel / Broadmeadows
7 / Olive Tree Hotel / Sunbury
8 / Roxburgh Park Hotel / Craigieburn
9 / Royal Hotel (Sunbury) / Sunbury
10 / Sunbury Bowling Club / Sunbury
11 / Sunbury Football Social Club / Sunbury
12 / Sunbury United Sporting Club / Sunbury
13 / Sylvania Hotel / Broadmeadows
14 / Westmeadows Tavern / Broadmeadows

There are 374 EGMs in the Broadmeadows (45.9%), 201 EGMs in Craigieburn (24.7%) and 240 EGMs in Sunbury (29.4%).

Policy Reference No: / POL/196 / Responsible Officer: / Manager Community & Activity Centre Planning
Date of Re/Adoption: / 9 December 2013 / Department: / Community & Activity Centre Planning
Review Date: / 9 December 2018
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RESPONSIBLE GAMING POLICY

Appendix 4: Map of Regional Capped Area in Hume City

Policy Reference No: / POL/196 / Responsible Officer: / Manager Community & Activity Centre Planning
Date of Re/Adoption: / 9 December 2013 / Department: / Community & Activity Centre Planning
Review Date: / 9 December 2018
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RESPONSIBLE GAMING POLICY

Appendix 5: Social & Economic Impact Assessment Framework for Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs)

The Social & Economic Impact Assessment Framework is maintained by the Victorian Local Governance Association and can be accessed from the following website: Key elements of the framework include:

• Location factors

-Socioeconomic disadvantage

-EGM density

-EGM expenditure

-Geographical accessibility of EGMs

-Alternative entertainment

-Community attitudes towards gaming

-Presence of vulnerable groups

• Priority populations

-People who are socially isolated

-Cultural background

-Young people and students

-People with comorbidities

-Lack of financial resilience

-People with cognitive impairment

-Problem gamblers

• Positive impacts

-Entertainment and enjoyment

-Social enjoyment with family and friends

-Increased revenue for gaming venues

-Increased support for community groups

-Community benefit from clubs

-Contribution to local economy

-Employment

-Tourism

• Negative impacts

-Loss of health

-Loss of personal finances

-Relationship breakdown

-Family violence

-Intergenerational transmission of problem Gaming from problem gamblers to their children

-Impact on community support services

-Workplace fraud

-Decrease in work productivity

-Redistribution of expenditure within the local economy

-Increased crime levels

-Community perceptions of safety and wellbeing

Appendix 6: Research Questions for Community Attitudinal Survey

Hello my name is [insert name], I am calling on behalf of [insert organisation name] a social research company investigating residents’ attitudes about their local community. Would it be okay if I asked you a few quick questions? It should only take a couple of minutes and any information you provide will not lead to the identification of individuals and all information will be kept strictly confidential in accordance with the Information Privacy Act 2001.

Before we begin with the main questions, I’m going to ask you a couple of background questions.

Background

1. How happy do you currently feel living in your local neighbourhood?

 Very unhappy

 Unhappy

 Neither happy nor unhappy

 Happy

 Very happy

1. How would you rate your sense of wellbeing living in your local neighbourhood?

 Very low

 Low

 Moderate

 High

 Very high

1. How satisfied are you with the social and recreational opportunities in your local neighbourhood?

 Very unsatisfied

 Unsatisfied

 Neither satisfied nor dissatisfied

 Satisfied

 Very satisfied

1. Thinking about pokie machines that are up to 5km from your home, please indicate how strongly you agree or disagree with each of the following statements:

Statement / Strongly agree / Agree / Neither / Disagree / Strongly disagree / Don’t know
a) / Gaming venues provide local employment opportunities. /  /  /  /  /  / 
b) / Pokies are too widely accessible. /  /  /  /  /  / 
c) / Gaming venues have improved my social life. /  /  /  /  /  / 
d) / The increased availability of Gaming venues have increased the incidence of problem Gaming in my local area /  /  /  /  /  / 
e) / Gaming venues help to promote tourism.
e) / Gaming venues provide an enjoyable atmosphere. /  /  /  /  /  / 
f) / Pokies contribute to serious social issues in my local area. /  /  /  /  /  / 

{Insert venue name} is proposing to renovate/upgrade their existing facilities to include {insert details of proposal}.

1. Overall to what extent do you support the renovation works at {insert venue name}?

 Strongly oppose the development

 Somewhat oppose the development

 Neither support nor oppose the development

 Somewhat support the development